Can-heading machine



J. BRENZINGER.

CAN HEADING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 16, 1919.

Patented Sept. 13, 1921.

J. BRENZINGER.

CAN HEADING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.16, I919.

L 2. 9 1T 3 m 114 s mm & 8 d3 6 1T0 n w a D1 J. BRENZINGER.

CAN HEADING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 16, 1919.

1,390,490. PateIitedSept. 13,1921,

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JULIUS BRENZINGEB, OF FAIRFIELID, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE MAX AMS MACHINE COMPANY, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

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CAN-HEADING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept, 13, 1921,

Application filed April 16, 1919. Serial No. 290,473.

I To all whom it may concern therewith, the action of the roller is that of Be it known that I, JULIUs BRENZINGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fairfield, in the county of Fairfield and State of- Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Heading Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates generally to can heading machines, with more particular ref erence to machines adapted to be operated by hand, although it will be noted from the following description that the present invention embraces many new and desirable features which might with advantage be.

incorporated in a power-driven double seamer.

It may be said to be self-evident that the only demand for a hand-operated can heading machine, even by small packers, grows out of its comparative inexpensiveness, considering both purchase price and cost of operation, in cases where the desired output capacity is not relatively large and also, possibly, where the machine is only intended for periodical use at more or less extended intervals of time or during a particular season or seasons of the year. Inexpensiveness can only result from comparative simplicity, both of construction and operation, but this simplicity must be attained without sacrifice of efiiciency and dependability, and without undue or excessive sacrifice of output capacity-that is to say, speed of practical operation. v

Therefore, by no means least among the objects of this invention may be said to be the greatest possible simplicity of construction, in a machine of this character, compatible with efficiency of operation and general dependability. However, it has been found to be true that in intercurling the superposed flanges of the can parts to be joined, the first step of the well-known! double seaming process, the edges of the metal layers may be more accurately and truly, as well as dependably, pulled than pushed "nto their necessary reformed state. Obviously, when the supported can parts are positively driven and frictionally rotate the seaming roller upon. contact On the other hand, if the seaming roller is positively driven and rotatively supported can pushing or compressing the metal.

parts frictionally rotated upon contact therewith, the action of the roller is that of pulling or drawing the metal being operated upon. Another important object of my invention, therefore, is the provision of a machine in which the flange-intercurling operation is performed by pulling instead of pushing the edges of the metal layers into the desired form.

Furthermore, the circular groove of an ordinary seaming roller must be of uniform depth. Therefore, in order to properly complete the intercurling operation, at the start thereof only the extreme edge of the coverflange can be within the groove with nothingother than their own joint inherent rigidity-to support the remainder of the layers to be intercurled. This may-and often does-result in preliminary and objectionable distortion of the cover-flange, particularly if weak spots are encountered. This distortion is rarely insufiicient to cause the production of an imperfect or leaky seam, and may be sufiicient to produce a jam in the seaming mechanism with destructive results. Another important object of my invention, therefore, is the provision of a machine in which the superposed layers of metal to be intercurled are supported throughout their entire extents during the whole seaming operationthat is to say, in which these layers are wholly contained within the forming groove from start to completion of the intercurling and compressing operations;

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a-front elevation of a can heading machine embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of the same, taken substantially on the line 22 of Fig. 1, and showing can and cover supported in position for the seaming operation;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section. taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional detail view of one; edge or side of the seaming roller, showing the changing configura- :11 and depth of the spiral groove therein, an Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the seaming roller and theupper chuck, illustrating a slight modification in the relative disposition of these parts, as hereinafter described.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, numeral 7 designates a sufficiently heavy main frame, which may be mounted on standards or otherwise supported from the floor in any common and well-known manner, if desired, but which 1 prefer to providc, as shown, with a rearwardly-projecting bracket 8 adapted to be stably bolted or otherwise rigidly and removably secured to a bench-top, tabletop, shelf or other suit able support 9.

Mounted atthe lower end of the frame 7 is the forwardly extending rod or bar 10. This rod or bar 10 has pivotal connection at its forward end with a supplemental or auxiliary frame which includes the comparatively heavy top and bottom crosspieces 11. and 12, respectively, and the siderods 13 and 14 therebetween. The bottom cross-piece 12 is provided with lugs 15 (one only being shown in Fig. 2, the other being its opposite counterpart) between which the end of the rod .or bar 10 is pivoted. This supplemental frame being supported at its upper end adjus'tably relative to the frame 7, in a manner ll am about to describe, the pivotal connection between the lower end of the frame and the rod or bar 10 provides for corresponding rigid. lateral adjustment of said lower end in a manner which, while apparently obvious from the drawings, will be hereinafter described.

The top cross-piece 11 of the supplemental frame includes the oppositely located, horizontally disposed, cylindrical bearing blocks or bosses l6 and 17, within which are secured the forward ends of the supporting rods 18 and 19, respectively, which pass through and are slidable within corresponding bearing blocks or bosses 20 and 21, respectively, on the main frame 7. These rods 18 and 19, while slidable within the bearings of the blocks or bosses 20 and 21, are threaded for the reception of the stop-nuts 22, and

. 23, respectively, with their set-nuts 24 and 25, and for the nuts 26 and 27, respectively, with their set nuts 28 and 29. Between the nuts 26 and 27 and the ends of the blocks or bosses 20 and 21 are interposed the compression springs 30 and 31, respectively, acting through said rods 19 and 20, which carry the supplemental frame, to yieldingly retain said frame in its most retracted position, a position which may be adjustably varied by means of the nuts 22 and 23.

The main frame 7 includes upper and lower bearing blocks or bosses 32 and 33 in which is 'journaled the vertical shaft 34:.

In the upper bearing 32 l have shown a' smooth bushing 35, while the bushing 36 in the lower bearing 33 is interiorly threaded for the reception of the threaded lower portion 37 of the shaft. It will be'apparent, therefore, that the shaft 3 1- will be slowly raised or lowered upon rotation thereof in one direction or the other. As the illustrated embodiment of my invention shown in the drawings is primarily inthe shaft 34- provided at its upper end with a crank 38 having the usual handle 39 shown partly broken away.

Mounted on the shaft 34 is-the seaming roller ll, while this roller may be secured to the shaft in any approved manner, I prefer to key the same to a collar 4-2 fixed on said shaft and hold it in place by means of the spanner-nut 4-3 screwed on the threaded lower portion of the shaft, as shown. The roller 41, of course, is rotated with the shaft and is raised and lowered therewith upon rotation thereof. I also prefer that the frame 7 include a substantially cylindrical pocket or recess 10 to partially contain the roller 41, as shown, for the protection of the same.

The lower cross-piece 12 ofthe supplemental frame includes the cylindrical boss 14 (from which the pivot-lugs 15 project) within which is'provided a seat or socket for the tubular shank or stem 45 ,of a cam 46. A disk 47 is provided with a stem 48 which extends downwardly into and is slidable within the bore of the tubular shank 45. The cam a6 is provided on its upper face with cam-surfaces 49 adapted to coiiperate with corresponding but opposed cam-surfaces 51 on the lower face of a similar cam 53, above the cam 46 and loose on the stem 48. The disk 47 is supported from the cam 53 through the interposition of ball bearings 54, in a common and well-known manner, whereby said disk is freely rotatable in all relative positions of the. cams 53 and 4:6.

The upper cross-piece 11 ofthe supplemental frame is similarly provided with a substantially cylindrical boss 55 formin a seat or socket for the cylindrical block 56 which is adj ustably secured therein by means of screws 50 and 52. This block 56 has a tended for hand operation, if have shown downwardly extending reduced portion 57 which provides a bearing for the upper chuck 58, preferably, as shown, through the interposition of anti-friction rollers 59, a countersunk plate or disk 60 being secured to the end of the stud or reduced portion 57 and serving to rotatively retain in place both the chuck and the rollers. Betweenthe upper face of the chuck 58 and the shoulder provided at the lower end of the block 56, ll interpose the ball bearings 61, whereby it will be seen that even under the lateral pressures due to the forces of the seaming operation and the longitudinal thrust due to the upwardly presse'dcan, the chuck 58 will rotate freely. v It is well known that a common and standard type of can (62, Fig. 2), prior to being I headed, comprises a body portion 63 (Fig.

ing operation. The edge of the flange 66 is generally slightly curled downwardly when the head is formed. When body portion and head are assembled for the double seaming operation, these two flanges 64 and 66 are superposed, as shown at the bottom of Fig. 4, each being-so dimensioned that the edge of the cover-flange projects beyond the edge of the body'flange. In this position, they are adapted to be intercurled and compressed into a substantially solid and hermetic bead 'or seam 67, as shown at the top of Fig. 4.

It is well known that in order tosuccessfully perform the seaming operation, not only must the parts to be joined be properly assembled, but they should be firmly clamped or held together just prior to and throughout this operation.

Carried by the disk 47, preferably in a manner which will be hereinafter described, is the lower chuck 68, adapted to be raised and lowered with said disk upon rotation of the cam 53 in one direction or the other. This cam 53 may be oscillated by means of an arm 69 projecting therefrom to accessible position at the front of the machine. It will be apparent that oscillation of the arm 69 will operate through the cotiperating camsurfaces of the cams 53 and 46 to raise and lower. the cam 53 and therewith the rotatable disk 47, the chuck 68 and the chuck-supported can 62. It is to be understood that initially the cam 53, and therefore the chuck 68, is in its most depressed position, wherefore the can 62, with its head or cover properly positioned thereon, may be placed on said chuck 68 and the arm 69 swung to the position indicated in Fig. 1, which will operate in the manner explained to raise the chuck 68 with the assembled can parts 62 thereon to grip or clamp the latter between said chuck and the upper chuck 58, the latter entering the central depression in the can head or end to support the superposed flanges against the forces of the seammg operation. In the present case, it is further to be understood that the assembled parts, while firmly gripped under action of the arm 69, are free to rotate under a minimum of frictional resistance.

The seaming roller 41 is much larger than the circularly grooved, frictionally driven seaming roller of conventional type, and I provide the same with a spiral or helical groove leading from the bottom to the top of the roller. The depth of this groove 70 varies, being greatest at the end thereof at the bottom of the roller and gradually decreasing as the top of the roller is approached, although for the best results I prefer that several intermediate turns thereof should be ofsubstantially'uniform depth, as shown in Fig.4. It has been explained that the roller 41 is fixed upon the shaft 34 and is depressed therewith upon rotation thereof. The roller is so dimensioned and the chuck 58 is adjusted in such position relative thereto that the superposed flanges of the assembled can parts are positioned to be received within the lower end of thegroove upon rotative depression of said roller.-

Continued rotative depression of said roller will cause these superposed flanges to enter the lower end ofthe groove and have relative progressive movement therein. The width of this groove throughout its length is substantially the same, but the depth thereof, as has been explained, gradually decreases-at least through certain sections thereof-from the bottom to the top of the roller, whereby the edge of the coverflange 66 will first be engaged, not only with the initial effect of starting to bend a minor portion of the same around under the edge of the body-flange 64, but generating friction much more than'sufficient to rotate the assembled and tightly clamped can parts, the chucks 58 and 6.8 being, as described, freely rotatable. As the revolving flanges pass upwardly-relativelythrough' the groove in the lower half of the roller, they are intercurled in substantially the same manner as they would be by what is termed the first operation :i'oller in a machine of the conventional typf e. In the relatively shallow portion of the groove in the upper half of the roller the intercurledflanges are compressed into a substantially. solid bead or seam just as they "are so compressed by the so-called last operation roller of the ordinary type of double .seamer.

However, as has been hereinbefore suggested, in the ordinary first operation roller, which is moved bodily toward and against the superposed flanges in order to perform its function, the depth of the circular groove therein must be such as to result in the completion of the intercurling operation, wherefore at the start of this operation-only the extreme edge of the cover-flange is within the groove, with nothing to support and positively guide the body-flange and the remainder of the cover-flange and distortion of the character to which I have referred result. In connection with the machine of my invention, it will be seen that the whole of both flanges are received withinthe groove and are at all times entirely contained therewithin, whereby there can be no distortion other than the symmetrical distortion of the operation.

Furthermor e,- in the comparison which I have drawn between the operation of the seaming roller of this invention and the two (sometimes three) circularly grooved rollers of machines of conventional type, it is to be understood that the analogy ceases with intended effects. As has been hereinbefore suggested, better results are obtained in intercurling the flanges by pulling or draw ing the metal to shape than by pushing or compressing it to the desired form. will be noted that in the machine of the invention the seaming roller is the driving and the assembled and supported can parts the frictionally driven element, whereby the metal being operated upon is pulled or drawn to shape, while in machines of what I have termed the conventional type, the assembled and supported can parts constitute the driving and the seaming roller the frictionally driven element, whereby the metal is pushed or compressed to shape.

lnitially, in operation of the machine, the cam 53, and therefore the lower chuck 68, is in its depressed or lowermost position, and when in that position a can 62 with its head or cover properly adjusted thereon is placed by hand on said chuck. To insure proper positioning of the can body without elfort or loss of time, I provide bosses 71 and 72 on the sides of the bearing block 33 in the main frame 7, in which ll mount rods 73 and 7 which project obliquely toward the front of the machine, above the chuck 68, crossing each other, as shown, and providing a stopgage for centering the work. Can and cover having been positioned on the chuck 68, the arm 69 is swung to the position indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, operating to raise the cam 53 and therewith the chuck 68 in the manner described. Can and cover are thus raised until the chuck 58 engages the head or cover, said chuck entering the central depression in said head or cover, thereby not only clamping can and cover in assembled condition, in position for the seaming operation, but supporting the superposed flanges against the forces of said operation. The shaft 34, which is initially in its raised or uppermost position, as indicated in Fig. 2, is now rotatedin the machine shown through the instrumenta'lity of the crank 38-which not only causes rotation of the roller 41, but at the'same time depresses said roller at such speed, relative to the speed of rotation, that the flanges to be intercurled are received within and are carried through the groove without distortionother than that intended to be caused by the shallowing groove itselfthe pitch of the threads on the portion 37 of the shaft 34 and the pitch of the spiral or helical groove 70 being obviously the same.

When the roller 41 has cleared the seam 67 (Fig. 4) of the now headed can, the arm 69 is swung back to its initial position, thereby lowering the cam 53 and therewith the lower chuck 68 and permitting removal of the work. The shaft 34: is then rotated in a reverse direction, thereby raising the roller ll to its initial raised position, and the machine is now ready for the positioning on the lower chuck 68 of another can body to be headed and a repetition of the above-described seaming operation.

Provision should be made in a machine of this character particularly if the same is designed to be operated by an unskilled or a moderately skilled operative in the seaming mechanism, for automatically compensating for irregularities, and variations in the combined thickness of the layers of metal to be intercurled by the seaming operation. These irregularities and variations are sometimes so marked that substantial rigidity of parts and connections would result either in an imperfect seam or the breakage or fatal distortion of one or more of said parts or connections. For example, so-called sanitary or solderless cans, under present methods of construction, generally have what is termed an interlocked side seam, which is sometimes extended throughout the entire length of the can body and is sometimes terminated at'points short of the can-body ends whereby those portions of the metal layers to be intercurled are merely overlapped, but under any circumstances increasing the number of layers to be intercurled by at least one, and sometimes three. It will be apparent that if the seaming roller and the upper chuck are so adjusted relatively to each other as to properly intercurl and compress two layers of metal, when the extra layer or layers at the side seam is reached the grooved roller is very likely to fail to perform its proper function, to say the most. lit is highly desirable, therefore, if not essential to best results, to provide a flexible connection between chuck and roller.

It is to provide this flexibility that l pivot the'supplemental frame at the end of the rod or bar 10 and support said frame at its upper end in such manner that it yields laterally, whereby it has a slight oscillatory movement toward and away from the roller 41, movement away from said roller being against the action of the springs 30 and 31, as described. These springs are powerful enough to resist the normal forces of the seaming operation and yet permit a yielding of the supported can parts when the extra layers of metal at the side seam are encountered. v

Furthermore, can bodies necessarily vary slightly in height (or length), and if the lower chuck 68 as well as the upper chuck 58 were rigidly mounted fatal distortion might result when it was attempted to clamp a slightly longer than the normal can body between said chucks. I provide for this possible variation in length or height by yieldingly supporting the chuch 68 on the disk 47. I have shown this chuck provided with pins 75, preferably three thereof, equidistantly disposed on the lower face of the chuck, which pass downwardly through apertures in the disk 47, in which they are slidable. Each of these pins 7 5 is surrounded by a compression coil spring 76, for the reception of which the upper face of said disk is circularly recessed. The lower chuck is thus yieldingly supported in a horizontal position, the springs 76 being of suflicient power to cause the supporte can parts to be firmly gripped and held, and this irrespective of slight variations in the heights or lengths of the can bodies The machine of the present invention may be readily and easily adjusted for the heading of cans of various sizes. within certain limits. The relative vertical position of the lower chuck 68, with its-raising and lowering mechanism, may be varied by means of the adjusting screw 77. The upper chuck may 'be readily removed and a chuck of lesser or greater diameter substituted therefor, the position of which -relative to the roller 41 being properly adjustable by means of the nuts 22 and 23 on the rods 18 and 19 and the lower portion of the supplemental frame being capable of corresponding adjustment by means of the nuts 78 and 79 on the rod 10. The positioning rods 73 and 7 f are made adjustable by means of setscrews 80 and 81 in the bosses 71 and 72 which releasably fix said rod-sin their seats or sockets.

With the chucks 58 and 68 rotating in horizontal planes and the shaft 34 vertically disposed, it will be apparent that the groove of the roller 41 will be slightly inclined with respect to the plane of rotation of the superposed flanges projecting thereinto, wherefore a certain amount of unserviceable and objectionable friction will be generated. This objectionable friction may be readily avoided by slightly inclining the shaft 34 laterally, as indicated in Fig. 5,

so that each portion of the groove 70 in the A roller 41 as it passes the chuck 58 travels in a substantially horizontal path.

Attention may also be directed? to the fact that in the machine of my invention the superposed flanges travel but once only through the seam-forming groove from start J to completion of the seaming operation, whereas in machines of what I have termed the conventional type each roller rotates several times with the flanges in its circular groove in performingl its function. Therefore, by my invention I have vastly increased wearing surfaces, proportionately decreasing the friction to which they are subjected, and thereby prolonging the useful life of the roller far beyond the possibilities of both of two circularly grooved rollers.

Many modifications of minor details of my improved can heading machine will doubtless readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art towhieh it appertains, and I therefore do not desire to limit my invention to the specific construction herein shown and described.

Iclaim:--

1. In a can heading machine, the combination, with means for rotatively supporting in assembled condition the parts to be joined, said parts having superposed flanges adapted to be intercurled and compressed to form a substantially solid seam, of a seaming roller having compound motion and cooperating with said supporting means to successively perform both the intercurling and the compressing steps of the seaming operation, and means for positively actuating said roller to effect all movements thereof.

2. In a can heading machine, the combination, with means for rotatively supporting in assembled condition the parts to be joined, said parts having superposed flanges adapted to be intercurled and compressed to form a substantially solid seam, of a seaming roller having compound movement and having a peripheral contour adapted upon actuation of said roller to successively perform in one operation both the intercurling and compressing steps of the seaming operation, and 'means' for positively actuating said roller to efl'ect all movements thereof.

3. In a can heading machine, the combination, with means for rotatively supporting in assembled condition the parts to be joined, of 'a seaming roller mounted for simultaneous rotation and axial bodily movement, said roller having a peripheral contour adapted upon actuation thereof to start and complete. the seaming operation, and means for positively actuating said roller to impart thereto both rotation and said axial movement. v

4:. In a can heading machine, the combination, with means for rotatively supporting in assembled condition the parts to be joined, said supporting means being yieldlngly mounted for slight lateral movement thereof, of a seaming roller mounted for simultaneous rotation and axial. bodily movement, said roller having a peripheral contour adapted upon actuation thereof to start and complete the seaming operation, and means for actuating said roller.

5. In a double-seaming mechanism for can heading machines, the combination, with means for rotativelysupporting in assembled condition the parts-to be joined, said parts having superposed flanges adapted to be inter-curled and compressed to form stantially solid seam, of a rotatable and bodily movable member having a single continuous seam-forming groove into which said flanges are directed and in which they remain throughout the entire seaming opera tion, means for varying the relative positions of said supporting means and said member olurlng continuous bodily movement of the latter to successively perform both the inter-curling and the compressing steps of the double-seaming operation, and means for positively actuating said member to effect all movements thereof.

6. In a can heading machine, the combination, with means for rotatively supporting the superposed flanges of can body and cover when assembled, of a rota-table and bodily movable member having a continuous seam-forming groove into which said flanges are directed and in which they remain throughout the entire seaming operation, said groove being of gradually varying dimensions, and means for positively actuating said member to effect all movements thereof.

7. In a can heading machine, the combination, with means for rotatively supporting the superposed flanges of can body and coyer when assembled, of a seaming roller havlng compound motion and being provided with a continuous seam-forming groove into which said flanges are directed and in which they remain throughout the entire seaming operation, relative positions of said supporting means and said member varylng as said roller is actuated to successively perform both the intercurling and the compressing steps of the seaming operation, and means for positively effecting said compound motion of said roller.

8. In a can heading machine, the combination, with means for rotatively supporting the superposed flanges of can body and cover when assembled, of a seaming roller-having compound motion and being provided with a continuous seam-forming groove into which said flanges are directed and in which they remain throughout the entire seaming operation, said groove being of gradually varying dimensions, and means for positively eiifecting compound motion of said roller.

9. In a can heading machine, the combination, with means for rotatively supporting in assembled condition the parts to be joined, of a seaming roller having a spirally arranged seam-forming groove therein, and means for simultaneously rotating said roller and positively imparting axial bodily movement thereto.

10. In a can heading machine, the combination, with means for rotatively support ing in assembled condition the parts to be joined,-oil a seaming roller having a spirally arranged seam-forming groove therein of nee -see gradually varying dimensions, and means for simultaneously rotating said roller and positively imparting axial bodily movement thereto.

11. In a can heading machine, the combination, with means for rotatively supporting the superposed flanges of can body and cover when assembled, of a seaming roller rotatable about a fixed axis and having a spirally arranged seam-forming groove therein, said roller also having axial bodily movement during rotation thereof whereby said flanges are received within said groove, and means for simultaneously rotating said roller and positively imparting said axial bodily movement thereto.

12. In a can heading machine, the combination, with means for rotatively supporting the superposed flanges of can body and cover in assembled condition, said supportin means being yieldingly mounted for slight lateral movement thereof from a normally fixed position, of a, seaming roller rotatable about a fixed. axis and having a spirally arranged seam-forming groove therein, said roller also having axial bodily movement during rotation thereof whereby said flanges are received within said groove, and means for simultaneously rotating said roller and imparting said axial bodily movement thereto.

13. In a can heading machine, the combination, with means for rotatively supporting the superposed flanges of can body and cover in assembled condition, of a seaming roller rotatable about a fixed axis and having a spirally arranged seam-forming groove therein of gradually varying dimensions, said roller also having axial bodily movement during rotation thereof whereby said flanges are received within said groove, and means for simultaneously rotating said roller and positively imparting said axial bodily movement thereto.

ll. In a can heading machine, the combination, with means for rotatively supporting the superposed flanges of can body and cover in assembled condition, said supporting means being yieldingly mounted for slight lateral movement thereof from a normally fixed position, of a seaming roller rotatable about a fixed axis and having a spirally arranged groove therein of gradually varying dimensions, said roller also having axial bodily movementl during rotation thereof whereby said flanges are received within said groove, andmeans for simultaneously rotatmg said roller and imparting said axial bodily movement thereto.

15. In a can heading machine, the combination, with a rotatable chuck and rotatable means for advancing the assembled flanged can parts to and supporting the same against said chuck, of a roller rotatable about a fixed axis and provided with a spirally arranged groove of gradually varying dimensions into which the flanges of said parts are directed, said roller being also movable axially to retain said'flanges in said groove during rotation of said roller and throughout the entire seaming operation,

and means for simultaneously rotating said roller and positively imparting said axial a roller rotatable about a fixed axis and provided with a spirally arranged groove of gradually varying dimensions into which the flanges of said parts are directed, said roller being also movable axially to retain said flanges in said groove during rotation of said roller and throughout the entire seaming operation, and means for simultaneously rotating said roller and imparting said axial movement thereto.

17. In a can heading machine, the combination, with means for rotatively supporting in assembled condition the parts to be joined, of a seaming roller having a spirally arranged seam-forming groove therein, and

a shaft upon which said roller is mounted,

said'shaft being threaded into correspondingly threaded bearings whereby it is moved longitudinally upon rotation thereof. 18. In a can heading machine, the combination, with means for rotatively supporting the superposed flanges of can body and cover in assembled condition, of a seaming roller having a spirally arranged seam-forming groove therein adapted to receive said flanges, and a shaft upon which said roller is mounted, said shaft being threaded into correspondingly threaded bearings whereby it is moved longitudinally upon rotation thereof, and the pitch of the threads being the same as that of said groove whereby said flanges are retained in said groove throughout a series of rotations of said roller.

In testimony of the foregoing, I have llGIGllIltOSGt my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

JULIUS BRENZINGER. Witnesses:

' C. B. WALWORTH,

TIMOTHY A. E60. 

